Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Slam Dunk for Diabetes



Yesterday, Cale attended a basketball camp for children with Diabetes. This time it was a one day clinic, but last Summer, one was held closer to our home and he went for 3 days AND was interviewed on the news (that video isn't available anymore-it was fun!). He is ready to go again this coming summer.

It is called Moses E. Cheeks Slam Dunk for Diabetes. He loves it!! And it's FREE!! This clinic was held at the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox Training Academy. It is such a neat building! One side dedicated to basketball and the other side was all baseball.  My sister came with and wanted to put on one of their t-shirts so she could stay and play!!

The staff was so good with the kids. The General Manager of the Facility has a 5 year old godson with Type 1 Diabetes so he was all into it. He kept telling them that there is nothing they can't do. He never wanted to hear the word "can't"!! (Of course, Cale tells me afterwards that he was wrong. He can't join the military.)

It was so good to see all of these kids doing something together, all of them alike. At the very end, right before the last pep talk, everyone had to line up and have their BG's checked. It was really something to see, over one hundred kids, lined up, waiting to test themselves. No one different. It brought tears to my eyes several times yesterday, but I held them back. I've been a little emotional lately (total understatement).

Here are some pictures from the day...
 
 

Cale waiting for the morning to begin.




Making friends.




My 5 foot tall 9 year old...waiting his turn.




Be the ball...see the basket...
  

Headed for the hoop.




The entire group at the end of the day...pep talk time!!! 





 Cale and Mom




Chicago Bulls Championship Banners...Memories...I went to so many of those games!!





And of course, the building was half Chicago White Sox...Gotta put up a picture of my boy Paulie!!!







4 comments:

Lorraine of "This is Caleb..." said...

Awesome! These types of activities just warm my heart. They are so very meaningful and hearing about them always brings a smile to my face.

He sure seems like a tall young man!

:) Tracie said...

He dwarfs those other kids!!

I think you may have a future NBA player.
Funny comment about 'can't' join the army....

Anonymous said...

What a cool concept! Love the idea and recap and the great photos you included, Andrea. I'll have to look into that a little more. Just joined the board of directors for the Central Indiana D-Camp, and that could be a cool fun trip to think about for the teens at some point. Sounds like a great time!

LaLa said...

It brought tears to my eyes thinking about all of them lined up waiting to check their bg. What a great camp and wonderful experience. I can't wait for Nate to be able to participate in things like this. :)